Observations on IU targets from Run 'N Slam

AllHoosiers.com was in attendance at Spiece Fieldhouse in Fort Wayne this weekend for the Run 'N Slam tournament. Here are some observations on Indiana's targets that were present.

I was up in Fort Wayne this weekend for the Spiece Run 'N Slam AAU tournament and got to see a number of Indiana targets in the 2015 and 2016 classes.

The event isn't as good as it once was -- Jabari Parker, James Blackmon Jr., Trey Lyles and Jahill Okafor once played on the same floor there -- but it was still a good opportunity to see several players.

Here's a brief analysis and my take on some IU targets. I will post video interviews and other stories on each player beginning today and continuing through the week.

2015

1. Jalen Coleman, G, La Lumiere: Coleman is playing with a very good All Ohio AAU team, and he looked sharp over the weekend. His perimeter jump shot continues to be a strong point of his game, and he has improved at getting it off, even with a defender in his face.

Coleman scored 21 points in the first game I saw on Friday night, and then 16 points in the first game on Saturday. The competition wasn't great -- All Ohio once led 48-10 in the second game -- but Coleman was impressive nevertheless.

2. Esa Ahmad, F, Shaker Heights: Ahmad, out of Cleveland, picked up an Indiana offer recently, but he also received one from Ohio State, and the Buckeyes will be hard to beat on this one.

Ahmad, 6-foot-7 and 210 pounds, plays with Coleman for All Ohio and joins him in the starting lineup. He is a solid ball handler for a big man, and is very good in the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop game. He doesn't shoot it much from the perimeter and likely translates as a slasher on the college level.

3. Matt Heldt, F, Neenah: Heldt, out of Wisconsin, has picked up considerable interest from Indiana of late. Tom Crean surprised many by starting his only evaluation period until July by watching Heldt in Milwaukee two weekends ago.

Heldt has not yet received an Indiana offer, but chances are good that he could receive one soon. At 6-foot-10, Heldt is a fairly skilled big man who can finish with both hands around the basket. He said his mother forced him to play her in 1-on-1 with only his left hand when he was younger, so he's very comfortable finishing with that hand.

Heldt didn't make any perimeter shots when I watched him, but he looked like a guy who could be comfortable playing on the perimeter at times.

Ryan Cline, G, Carmel: Cline isn't nationally ranked anywhere, but he has improved significantly since last summer and is starting to gain some interest from bigger schools, including Indiana. The Hoosiers have not offered and need to see him play in person, but there is some interest there.

Cline is 6-foot-4 and excels as a shooter, but set and off the dribble. I've always thought he was underrated because he's a fundamental player and can shoot it at a high level. He recently received an offer from Purdue.

2016

1. Caleb Swanigan, C, Homestead: Swanigan was the top overall prospect present this weekend, and he received plenty of attention. The 6-foot-8 big man was double teamed in all the games I watched, but he did a solid job of working out of them and remaining effective.

Swanigan has slimmed down considerably since last summer -- he said he's lost 20 pounds -- and he's much more muscular. He runs the floor well for a big man, and can also step out and hit the occasional jump shot.

2. Nick Rakocevic, F, St. Joseph's: Rakocevic, from Illinois, is a 6-foot-10, 190-pound forward who can play inside and on the perimeter. He was impressive for most of the weekend.

Rakocevic will visit Indiana unofficially on Thursday, as first reported by AllHoosiers.com.